Carbon based films including diamond like carbon have been deposited as a protective layer for coronary stenting applications. Taking advantage of carbon's stability, or resistance to chemical attack, its flexibility, and other properties, our current technical objective is to develop carbon based materials as coatings for radioactive rhenium stents. Radioactive rhenium stents are being investigated to limit smooth muscle cell growth following coronary surgery. The carbon based coating is being investigated to reduce the release of radioactive rhenium (free activity) into the blood following the stenting procedure. Plasma enhanced deposition was used to deposit the carbon based coating onto metallic substrates. Foils, wires, and coils were coated and tested for adhesion, cytotoxicity, and release of radioactive rhenium. A critical requirement for successful stenting devices is a uniform surface over the entire structure. Our initial results indicate a 50% decrease in the release of free activity relative to uncoated rhenium. Relationships between deposition parameters and coating performance will be presented.